South African cricketer punches teammate; player refuses to drop police charges despite management intervention

South African cricketer Ayavuya Myoli, who represents KwaZulu-Natal and Dolphins in the domestic matches organised by Cricket South Africa (CSA), is refusing to drop charges that his teammate and skipper Robert Frylink punched him while returning after a Sunfoil cup game, held on January 23, timeslive.co.za reported on Monday.

This is despite the fact that Dolphins CE Pete de Wet seemed to put the matter to rest by declaring in a statement that the matter had been closed.

Myoli seemed to be aggrieved by the fact that Frylink’s suspension was lifted at a disciplinary hearing held last week in which the latter deployed a lawyer despite a prior understanding that no legal help will be sought by any of the parties involved.

It was a matter of frustrations boiling over as the KwaZulu-Natal side who were returning home after a Sunfoil 3-day Cup game against Boland held at Boland Park in Paarl, witnessed ugly scenes after Myoli, who only bowled 11 over in both innings combined in his side’s seven-wicket loss, got into a heated argument with Frylink as he felt he had been underused.

Frylink apparently ended the argument by punching his teammate in the face.

Frylink was suspended on January 24

He was entitled to a disciplinary hearing prior to which it was agreed between the two players involved as well as teammates Brandon Scullard and Calvin Savage, who were witness to the incident, that none would be bringing in a lawyer.

However, much to the surprise of the other three, Frylink was represented by a lawyer and the suspension was lifted “without a clear explanation.” Dolphins CE seemed to have the final say in the matter claiming that the issue had been resolved, but clearly, Myoli is in no mood to let go.

"None of them actually testified and Myoli asked if he could bring in his lawyer and he was told that there was no need. When he arrived at the hearing Frylinck had legal representation and from there Frylinck's suspension was lifted without a clear explanation.

"It was said that he will apologise and that was that," timeslive.co.za reported a source as saying.

He also added that Myoli was being pressurised to drop the police charges he had raised against Frylink but the former is having none of it. As of now, no official statements have been released by either of Myoli, Frylink and De Wet, and until then the matter will remain clouded in mystery as to what actually transpired. It is interesting to note that the incident has come to light only days after Australian cricketers David Warner and George Bailey had a bizarre on-field misunderstanding during the 2nd ODI against New Zealand.